Kratom is still a new drug in the United States. However, many Asian countries have used the leaves of the Mitragyna speciose Korth plant for centuries to treat a wide array of medicinal problems. Many individuals turn to kratom to reach a high that usually achieved using opiates and opium-based drugs. However, depending on the purity of this botanical Mitragyna speciosa, the kratom high effects can vary for that of a stimulant to a depressant. The risk of side effects is substantial while under the influence of the drug.

The results of a low-dose kratom high can last for anywhere from ten minutes to an hour, but a high-dose of the medication causes a high that can last for up to five hours.

Users who start to experience unpleasant effects after using kratom should get up and move around, hydrate, sniff black pepper to calm themselves, and try to sleep it off. However, if the user is overly agitated and bombarded with side effects, then they should seek immediate medical aid.

The Kratom High Effects

The high kratom euphoric effects vary among users and dosage. Some users may experience a pleasant sensation, but others become agitated and anxious.

Low Dose Kratom Effects

Typically, a low dose of kratom hovers at around 1 to 5 grams according to the American Drug Addiction Centers. The effects of a kratom low dose high include:

• Euphoria/well-being
• Ample energy
• A feeling of being hyper alert
• Increased libido
• Elevated social behavior
• Decreased appetite
• Pain relief
• Warmth
• Tingling

High Dose Kratom Effects

A high dose of kratom ranges from 5 to 15 grams. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) reports that the effects of a high kratom dosage are like those experienced from consuming alcohol. The results include:

• Analgesia (pain reduction)
• Euphoria/well-being
• Drowsiness
• Dreamlike mental state
• Cough suppression
• Warmth
• Tingling
• Decreased appetite
• Heightened sexual drive

Kratom Euphoric Effects

In the journal, ‘Psychoactive Drugs,’ author Marc Swogger wrote about the kratom euphoric effects, “The most prominent theme (30.4%) was a sense of well-being that extended in a degree to euphoria, especially at higher doses. Numerous individuals described this effect as like that of opiates.”  The study went on to state, “In sum, our findings suggest that the subjective effects of kratom are generally mild and pleasant, with some important negative physical side-effects, including what appears to be a mild (i.e., relative to opiates) dependence syndrome.”

How to Come Down from Kratom High Effects?

Many individuals will want to come down from the high effect of ingesting kratom quickly. Unfortunately, it typically just takes time. However, there are a few things that you can try to minimize the plant’s effects.

• Hydrate with water
• Sleep
• Sniff black pepper to achieve an energized reaction. This is especially beneficial if the strain of kratom has an opiate-like effect.

The Side Effects of Kratom

Some people suffer unpleasant side effects from kratom use. Often it has to do with the individuals unique biology or the purity of the kratom. However, many side effects reported are less-than-desirable.

• Edginess
• A paranoia that varies from mild to extreme
• Extreme nervousness
• Lethargy
• Vomiting (can be severe and prolonged)
• Nausea (can be severe and prolonged)
• Sweating
• Racing heartbeat
• Itching
• Aggression
• Constipation
• Delusions
• Respiratory depression
• Tremors
• Combative/antagonistic behavior
• Psychotic episodes
• Hallucinations
• Addiction

Is Kratom Addictive?

Users can form an addiction to kratom that is like that experienced by opioid users. Over time, the user develops a compulsive need to use the drug continuously. The habit eventually starts to control the individual’s life. The withdrawal symptoms are often remarkably like those experienced by opioid users or individuals addicted to prescription narcotics.

Prolonged use can cause the following in some users:

• Loss of sexual desire
• Loss of weight
• Darkening of skin on the face
• Constant cravings that drive one to use more of the drug

Withdrawal From Kratom

Many individuals become addicted to Mitragyna and must contend with withdrawals. The intensity of the withdrawals is dependent on the user’s dosage and the length of time that they have been using the drug. Individuals who regularly take high doses suffer more intense withdrawal side effects when they cease using the drug. Many individuals have a challenging time getting clean and coping with the physical withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal starts within 6-12 hours of the last dose and begins to peak within 2-3 days. The total time-frame for withdrawal is usually lasting 5 to 10 days total. However, the mental craving can last much longer. Relapse is quite common

Common symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Diarrhea
• A runny nose
• Extreme mood swings
• Jerking of the hands, arms, and legs
• Joint and bone pain
• Extreme hostility
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Panic attacks
• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Insomnia and sleep disorders
• Intense cravings
• Irritability
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Profuse sweating

Overdose Risk of Kratom

To date, there has not been a documented death caused by kratom overdose. However, when used in high doses it can cause very unpleasant side effects that can last for hours and force the user to seek immediate medical care.

Common overdose symptoms include:

• Combative or aggressive behavior
• Delusions
• Lethargy
• Severe Nausea
• Uncontrollable Vomiting
• Paranoia
• Respiratory depression
• Seizures and tremors
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Extreme hostility

Where does the Mitragyna Speciose Korth Come From?

The evergreen Mitragyna plant is a member of the coffee family. It grows wild throughout Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Borneo, Philippines, and New Guinea. Although a tropical plant, it grows well in many regions of the world.

Kratom High Strains

As with any plants used for medicinal purposes, Selective cultivation of the plant develops certain high kratom strains that hold far more alkaloids than the natural plant.

Here are just a few strains of Mitragyna:

• Bali Kratom: This high kratom strain offers enhanced euphoric effects. Many consider this strain to supply the most opiate-like high.
• Maeng Da: The Maeng Da reduces pain. It also makes the user feel more energized.
• Red Vein Kali: This strain produces a sedative-like effect.
• Green Vein Kali: Stimulating and helps reduce pain.
• Super Indo: Very stimulating with only a reduced euphoric reaction.

Altered High Kratom Strains

The alkaloids pulled from the Mitragyna create a potent strain of kratom.

• Gold Reserve Extract: Prominent levels of plant alkaloids go through an extraction process and then reinjected into the plant material.
• Natural Enhanced True Thai: Extraction pulls 90 percent pure alkaloid from the Thai Kratom and then reinjected into the Green Vein Thai leaf.
• Natural Enhanced White Sumatra: An extraction of at least 90 percent pure alkaloid comes from the White Vein kratom and then remixed to create a high kratom product.

Mitragyna Speciose Korth Use Throughout Asia

Throughout history, the leaves of the Mitragyna speciose Korth have been abused in Asian countries. Indigenous people in Malaysia and Thailand would either chew the leaves or brew them in a tea to boost their energy levels so they could increase productivity on farms or in the labor market. The effects of the plant also helped relieve their physical pain.

Kratom in Thailand

Nowadays, the government of Thailand has labeled the Mitragyna speciose Korth a controlled substance. The plant’s leaves are often combined with cough syrup and Coke, strong tranquilizers, and marijuana to produce a narcotic drink called “4×100.” The concoction has become a favored drug among young Muslims in the region. Throughout the area, it is the third most abused illegal drug, according to a report issued by NBC News.

Kratom in the United States

Before 2012, most people in the United States had never heard of kratom. However, today the drug has become widespread and is sold as a dietary or nutritional supplement. People can find kratom at head shops or smoke shops in the form of a powder or tablet. Throughout North Carolina, New York, Colorado, and a few other states kratom is sold as a drink called ‘ketum’ in nightclubs, and bars.

Legalities of Kratom in the United States

As with so many ‘drugs’ in the United States such as cannabis, the use of kratom is very grey and dictated by state laws. Federally, Mitragyna is still legal, but the government still tries to control the importation of the plant into the country. However, many states are taking steps to ban or regulate the use of Mitragyna.

Currently, these are the laws in some individual states regarding kratom:

• Alabama: As of May 10, 2016, kratom the plant gained the classification of a Schedule 1 controlled substance.
• Arkansas: In February 2016, lawmakers listed the plant as a controlled substance
• California: Kratom is legal throughout the state of California but banned in the city of San Diego.
• Florida: The use of kratom is legal in Florida, except in Sarasota County.
• Illinois: Kratom is legal in Illinois to anyone over 18 but banned in the town of Jerseyville.
• Indiana: Kratom is classified as a synthetic drug, and it is banned.
• New Hampshire: Kratom products are available to anyone over the age of 18.
• Tennessee: Kratom is considered a controlled substance.
• Wisconsin: The law states that the primary alkaloids present in the Mitragyna plant are classified as Schedule 1.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Mitragyna

To date, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has started to work at having kratom listed as a Schedule 1 substance just like heroin. The DEA believes that Mitragyna is addictive and damaging. DEA spokeswoman Katherine Pfaff states that the agency considers it “harmful and dangerous.” Unfortunately, finding that Mitragyna has been used for centuries by indigenous people as a medicinal aid.

Undoubtedly, there are some holistic health benefits that the plant provides to users. If the DEO opts to list Mitragyna as a Schedule 1 drug the medical research being done surrounding the plant will undoubtedly be forced to come to a halt, so the possible health benefits of the natural plant may never be discovered.

Currently, the DEA has opened a public comment period on Mitragyna and its legality at the federal level.

The Dangers of Long-Term Mitragyna Use

The long-term use of Mitragyna is not without dangers. Research shows that the use of the plant can damage the thyroid. When used, the plant appears to suppress the hormones produced by the thyroid which leads to a condition known as hypothyroidism, according to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center in Cleveland, Ohio. It is believed that the alkaloid found naturally in the plant significantly reduces the standard response of the thyroid gland to the thyroid-stimulating hormone, which causes primary hypothyroidism.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Fatigue
• Slowed heartbeat
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Sensitivity to cold
• Puffy face
• Elevated blood cholesterol
• Muscle aches
• Pain, stiffness, or swelling around the joints
• Slowed heartbeat
• Impaired memory

Possible Liver Toxicity

Although occasional use of Mitragyna appears to have no adverse effect on the liver when mixed with other drugs such as narcotics the likelihood of liver damage escalates. Some individuals have suffered liver toxicity after the chronic abuse of Mitragyna. 

Kratom Opiates High for the Treatment of Narcotic Addiction

Undeniably, the kratom opiates high can be remarkably like that reached from the use of any opioid. The similarities are one of the main reasons that many individuals turn to kratom to help relieve opiate withdrawal symptoms. Research continues into the possible benefit of using kratom not only to treat opioid withdrawals but also as a replacement to many opioid-based painkillers.

Researchers at the Division of Medical Toxicology at the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA found that kratom does reduce the often severe withdrawal symptoms of opioid addiction. Though users can develop a kratom addiction, the withdrawals from kratom tend to be far less severe than opioids.

The study also investigated the use of kratom as an opioid substitute for a pain reliever. Researchers concluded that the plant-based drug could prove a practical alternative possibility for chronic pain sufferers.

Currently, kratom is still widely available around the world. Undoubtedly, further research needs to be carried out to determine the possible health benefits and high kratom effects.

Unfortunately, if the Mitragyna plant is made illegal in the United States, then research will come to a virtual standstill, and the medical community may never learn the holistic medicinal options of the plant. Ideally, users of kratom should cease abusing the substance and instead explore the plant’s history to determine its natural health benefits.

From cannabis to opium, there are many kinds of recreational drugs out there. Many of them claim to have medicinal uses, but none of them is like the Green Malay Kratom. This fascinating plant has been sought after by Southeast Asian enthusiasts.

As the interest on the Green Malay Kratom comes by, researches are finally being conducted on this plant. Let us take a look at the wonders of this plant through this article.

What is Green Malay Kratom?

Also known as Mitragyna speciosa, the Green Malay Kratom is like the Marijuana of the east. This psychoactive drug is illegal in many countries such as the majority of the European Union, the whole of the United States of America, and Australia.

Even though the Green Malay Kratom is shown to be illegal outside of Asia, this does not prevent some people from using them. The Thai people are known to be the top consumers of this drug or opioid. This psychoactive plant is known to grow along the Southeast Asian regions. As the name suggests, this plant originated in Malaysia. It grows in forests and/or the countryside.

Benefits of Green Malay Kratom

The Green Malay Kratom has many uses. It can be used as traditional medicine, an opioid, and a stimulator. Traditional people tend to side with natural medicines.

The Green Malay Kratom is a natural medicine that could reduce fever and chronic pains. Self-therapy, however, is not recommended. Without proper dosages, patients go on withdrawal due to self-medication.

As a substitute for opium, the Green Malay Kratom can provide the same euphoria that of opium. By taking this substance, you shall experience an increase in your energy, an enhanced positive mood, a relief from pain, a surge of motivation, the feeling of euphoria, and the increase of your functions (in terms of your senses and your motors).

Due to the euphoric effects of the Green Malay Kratom, this plant is recommended for treating depression. Still, consult your doctor if it is recommended. Taking drugs without the correct dosage may affect your health.

Anxiety is also shown to be treated with Green Malay Kratom. It claims that it has significant effects in boosting mental clarity, relief from anxiety, peace of mind, optimism, and decreased social fear.

It also claims that this is the perfect kind of Kratom for students and workaholics. Though taking in drugs is not always recommended if you do not have the proper knowledge, you may take it in as if you would take in cannabis or marijuana.

Overdose may occur similar to that of an overdose to caffeine. Symptoms of overdose include nausea, increased heart rate, jitters, a decrease in concentration, excessive sweating, and mania.

It is also worth noting that taking in more than the recommended amount and stopping at once will not only cause an overdose. It may also cause withdrawal.

Some claim that this drug has no rates of death by overdose of this drug. Simply, it is untrue. It is highly unlikely that this drug has never caused a singer death by overdose.

Remember, take in the right amounts to experience its maximum benefits. Anything too much may cause your untimely demise.

How To Use The Green Malay Kratom?

Like any other drug, there is a perfect dose for everything. Though usually taken as a powder, traditional methods of consumption include chewing on the leaves of the Kratom.

Other methods include drinking it as a tea or smoking it like cannabis. Before you go on and prepare your Kratom, you must know the proper dosage for consumption. If you are merely curious about its effects, the minimum dosage would have to be one gram. For maximum effects, take in 10 grams. Anything above 10 grams would be considered an overdose.

A common user’s dosage would have to be 2.4 to 6 grams of Green Malay Kratom. Of course, it would depend on your weight. People below 70 kg should only consume 2 to 3 grams of Kratom.

Of course, the dosage would depend on the person’s desire for the effects. You may experiment with your dosages but always aim to keep your dose from one gram to ten grams. Anything beyond that is harmful. Like other drugs, it is unhealthy to take this one with an empty stomach.

Eat something before you begin your euphoric trip. If you do not follow this step, it can lead to various side effects such as nausea and reduced concentration. If you merely want to try it out on an instant, it is all right if you try it without any food, provided that you only take in at most 2 grams.

The Green Malay Kratom is like a bitter powdered tea leaf. There are many methods for consuming the Kratom. One method is just taking it in like a pill. Put the powder in your mouth and wash it down with liquid. See, it is like a pill.

Other methods include preparing it with your food. Along the way in the process of your cooking, you may add your selected dose of Kratom like a spice. The effects, however, do not come immediately. It takes time for your digestive system to process the food and take the drugs into your systems.

Another method would be taking it in as a tea. Now, this can be a bit bitter if you are going to drink it like an afternoon tea along with your newspaper. I suggest adding some sugar or honey. That should help wash down the bitterness.

Or, you could go with the old-fashioned way and chew the Green Malay Kratom leaf. Yeah, that won’t look odd at all, but it’s worth a try. It is indeed something different.

The intake of your Kratom should have an interval of at least six to seven hours. Taking it in more than the recommended amounts results into tolerance. The higher dose you take into your body, the more your body would crave more. Try to keep it at your maximum low to prevent tolerance and withdrawal.

User Reviews of Green Malay Kratom

The power of the Green Malay Kratom ranges from incredibly awful to euphorically great.

An internet blogger claims that his Green Malay Kratom had improved his life overall. His business energy is supplied by Kratom. With his energy, he is capable of spending more time with his family. It even boosted his work quality. No doubt that internet blogger is pleased with the effects of Kratom in his life.

Users even reported that it had reduced their anxiety and stress. Work life can be stressful, but they claim that Kratom had helped them improve their overall work life.

Besides the euphoric capabilities of the Green Malay Kratom, users also reported using the Kratom for medicinal effects such as fevers and chronic pains. It is said that their pains have been lessened and is cured at the end.

Despite the shower of these high reviews, not everything is a “one size, fits all.” Some people experience little to no effect with Kratom. It has even done more harm than good.

For the inexperienced ones that do take in Kratom, a rock bottom may occur after a period of mania, like that of a bipolar disorder.

Conclusion on Green Malay Kratom

The Green Malay Kratom is a drug. That is what it shall always be. It must always be taken in with caution and possibly some guidance from your doctor.

Without the proper dosage and/or guidance, the use of Kratom might lead to more harm than good. Any drug can be harmful no matter how good people claim it to be. Anything too much will kill you.

The benefits of the Green Kratom is undoubtedly true. As a recreational drug, always be cautious. That is the advice most people will give you. Buy from reputable buyers, and not from some creep around the alley.

Also, if the Kratom does indeed do more harm than good for you, remember, the people around you tried to warn you. Drugs can be dangerous if not taken with caution.

Being a relatively new substance in the medicinal industry, Kratom users frequently find themselves in situations where a lack of information or poor judgment leads to unnecessary inconveniences.

More often than not, these problems can be solved with simple tricks, or even prevented through proper guidance and education. Many Kratom vendors, however, fail to provide essential data regarding their products, including information about dosage and administration.

This article will explain all the principal features of Kratom, its proper dosage, and the correct ways of administration to avoid any later inconveniences.

How To Dose Kratom?

The first step required for a safe and healthy Kratom experience is the use of a precise method for Kratom measurement.

To achieve this, it is necessary that the user makes use of an electronic scale. These scales are widely available across the internet, and can usually be found with Kratom vendors.

Electronic scales measure masses up to as small as 0.01g and are not affected by changes in texture or fineness of the substance. Unlike volumetric measurement (use of tablespoons or other standard equipment), these scales have better precision, are more reliable and are available at fairly cheap rates.

What Are The Different Ways of Kratom Administration?

Kratom can be ingested in different ways. The leaves were traditionally chewed by farmers in their raw form to get an energy boost. This practice has been replaced nowadays by more efficient methods of intake.

Many people now brew Kratom leaves or powder into a tea. This is considered a more effective form of consumption, as the effects are more prominent and consistent. Kratom powder can also be taken along with water.

This method called the toss and washed method, is the most commonly used method, where a measured amount of Kratom powder is taken in with a quick gulp of water, swished, swirled and swallowed.

Some people prefer taking Kratom capsules because they are tasteless and easy to use. The capsules, however, show delayed effects as they have to first undergo enzymatic action in the digestive cavity before entering the metabolic pathway.

Kratom can also be taken in the form of tinctures and sublingual sprays. These are highly concentrated Kratom extracts with very potent and immediate effects, and, therefore, care should always be taken when dosing with these products.

What Is The Best Kratom Dosage?

To potentiate the full effects of Kratom, it is important to take a very calculated amount of the product. Too little or too much will either deliver no effects or would end up causing problems such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, stomach and digestive problems, constipation, blurry vision and even dependency or tolerance.

While beginners are always advised to start with a very low dose (no more than 1g, taken on an empty stomach), regular users are allowed to use a moderate dose of 3-5g.

This dose is believed to deliver the full range of Kratom effects, including its stimulating, sedating, euphoric, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and analgesic (pain relieving) properties.

Users are always warned not to dose more than 8g, as it is considered a very high dose, one that can produce dangerous side effects, including strong sedation, anxiety, hallucinations and increased susceptibility for tolerance.

How Often Can You Take Kratom- User Opinions?

It is always necessary to follow certain safety measures before trying out a new product. Kratom, being one of the most potent natural herbs, requires extreme care and proper consumption.

Though there are no cases of the plant proving anything near to fatal, mismanagement may lead to unpleasant conditions that can otherwise be avoided. Kratom users are recommended to use the substance as little as possible to prevent dependency and tolerance.

While many forums suggest the use of low doses once or twice a week, others state that it should be used even less frequently than this. Since Kratom is used for various conditions, many users find it hard to stick to this rule.

As the plant is used to treat chronic pain, anxiety, cramps, muscle ache, mood disorders and numerous other reasons, it becomes a necessity to consume the plant on a daily basis.

The question that arises is ‘How often can one take Kratom?’ and whether daily consumption is acceptable or not.

Because of very limited research regarding Kratom and its use, it is difficult to find data on scientific grounds that might help in answering our queries. The next best option for guidance, in this case, is the user experiences.

When individuals on different forums including Reddit were asked about Kratom dosage, many were of the view that Kratom was a typically safe substance, with very few and unjustified cases of misuse.

They also commented that different people reacted differently to the same Kratom dosage, which indicates that there is no particular limitations or guidelines that can be followed.

There were a lot of users who believed that everyday use was pretty normal and didn’t pose any significant health issues. One user commented “Many people use Kratom for daily pain management and the worst that comes of it are minor cold-like symptoms for a day or two upon stopping. Kratom is exceptionally safe.”

Another commented “I’ve been taking 5-10 grams 6 days a week for about four months. When I go a couple of days without, I get some mild cold symptoms but nothing too crazy. If I even take 1 gram, they completely go away.”

When these users were asked about the timings and the number of doses the took per day, many of them confessed to at least two doses daily, the first one slightly less than the second, to make sure that the best effects were delivered.

A regular Kratom user, while expressing his views, stated “At least two years now since I started using Kratom regularly, taking it twice per day at 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, sometimes a bit more around 6:00 pm, typically with 4-7g doses. Works just fine for me”.

Another stated “I take 4-6g around 6:30 am, usually white or green and 7-8g at 6:00 pm, typically a mix of the plantation with something else. It always works, I like it”.

While many users commented that they usually wait for 12 hours before taking the next dose, others were of the view that the effects of Kratom faded in 3-5 hours, due to which a 12-hour gap was too long a duration to wait.

One user commented “I don’t know how some of you guys go so long between doses. I take it every 3 to 4 hours, but after 3 hours I start to feel crappy.”

Another commented, “If I don’t take any within 5 hours or so I can definitely tell the difference in my mood, and when I go 7+ hours I feel that uncomfortable in my skin”.

These comments suggested that the more regularly you take Kratom, the greater your need for it and therefore, the shorter the time between Kratom doses. They also suggested that the plant was able to deliver significant effects even at low and minimum doses. This is why users are advised to keep their intake as small as possible, and shouldn’t start with unnecessary high and repeated doses.

In short, the following points can be perceived from the above user experiences;

• If you have to take Kratom daily because of a medical condition, it is best to wait for 12 hours before taking the next dose. It is also advised to switch between different Kratom strains and taking a day or two off (prescribed medicine can be used on these days). This ensures that the same dose is effective for a longer period, and the occurrence of tolerance is delayed.
• If you’re using Kratom for recreational purposes (mood lift, euphoria, energy), it is best to use the plant only once a week. This retains the ‘special’ feeling of the substance and enables the user to feel the desired effects every time it is consumed.

Conclusion

Kratom is used widely for its numerous medicinal and therapeutic properties. The plant holds a very important position in the lives of many patients, who argue that the substance has no potentially harmful side-effects.

It is, however, recommended that Kratom intake should be properly monitored and overdoses should be avoided whenever possible to restrict any probable inconveniences.

Opioids are molecules that bind to opioid receptors in the brain, peripheral nervous system, and the gut. There are three different kinds of receptors known as mu, delta, and kappa. Different type of opioids binds to different receptors and produce different effects on the nervous system.

Opioids are known to reduce pain thresholds and create emotional detachment from that pain. Beyond pain, they can cause sedation, euphoria, respiratory depression and constipation.

You can take opioids as a medication whether by prescription or take a natural herb such as kratom. Kratom is used for treating opioid addiction.

You also have opioid-like molecules that are produced in the brain. These are small proteins known as Enkephalins. They have a similar effect and are released when you are under stress to help you pull through a difficult time particularly during extreme physical activity.

They produce euphoria as well. Under normal conditions, pain is a good thing because it warns us that something is wrong and necessary for our survival.

However, when pain becomes chronic (long-term), it requires prompt medical attention. Pain can become a debilitating thing that you just can’t live with. Some examples of opiates are methadone, buprenorphine, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, heroin and now kratom (just recently added to the list). Some opiates are natural, and others are semi-synthetic and some fully synthetic.

Kratom is an all-natural opioid plant. It grows in Southeast Asia, and the plant is called Mitragyna speciosa or commonly known as kratom. For hundreds of years, local farmers chewed the leaves to energize themselves. In medicine, it has been used to manage diarrhea, coughing, and pain. Recreationally it is used to get high.

According to media, it is passed off as an opioid addiction solution. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) feels that it should be treated no differently from any other addictive opioids. Kratom is growing in popularity, but there may be some associated risks with it.

Various products made from kratom appear to be cropping up in health food stores and drug paraphernalia stores in Europe and the U.S. This natural herb comes in several forms from beverages such as tea and capsules.

Kratom effects can take place within 15 minutes and last anywhere from 2 to 5 hours.

Ten grams of kratom (low dose) can produce some euphoria, increased energy, and increased social interactions.

Higher doses (20-50 gm) of kratom bring about pain relief, pleasure, and sedation.

Currently, kratom is banned or a controlled drug in 16 countries and is banned in several states in the U.S. due to harmful effects. There is some speculation that kratom has healing powers; however, the FDA believes it may cause harm to anyone using it.

With the current opioid epidemic, the FDA doesn’t feel that it can handle another addictive drug without some serious evidence that it can help with opiate withdrawal and pain.

Some of the reported side effects include psychosis, addiction, nausea, itching, dry mouth, sweating, loss of appetite, weight loss, insomnia, anorexia, emotional changes, muscle aches, irritability, runny nose, awkward motor movements, and constipation. There have been a few reports of liver damage as well.

General Self-Medication Issues

There can always be potential risks when individuals try to self-medicate. Of course, this may depend on the educational background of the person.

These potential risks include incorrect self-diagnosis, not getting help when needed, unexpected severe side effects (allergic), drug interactions, improper mode of administration, inadequate dosage, choose the wrong treatment and they might have another underlying problem (disease) that gets hidden or becomes worse due to self-medication.

Needless to say, a number of patients violate their prescription medications anyway. Look how many individuals have a prescription opioid addiction. That’s not saying much for the medical community. Of course, some of these patients are non-compliant and perhaps not well informed. Patient education would go a long way here.

Medical professionals and counselors believe that the greatest success for drug withdrawal comes when taking advantage of mental support along with other prescription drugs in terms of withdrawal issues.

But, you need to consider that these traditional therapies are often expensive and time-consuming. Not to mention that treatment centers have waiting lists which may not be convenient for most people.

For individuals who have not had success with in-house therapies or they are afraid of them, kratom seems to be the choice of self-help.

Patient Studies, Patients Comments, Kratom Consumer Comments

Below is a composite of the scant information about kratom coming from a single patient history, patient comments to their doctors and a survey of kratom users by the DEA. This by no means gives you anything definitive about the efficacy or safety of kratom so take it as you will.

In late 2017, one patient by the name of Eric Mayhew Jr. said that he wanted to break his 10-year long addiction to opioids that had been prescribed to him for a knee injury. He decided to stay away from in-house therapies (medical intervention) and used kratom to help him get past opioid addiction. He had tried other methods without success for a two-year period. For Mayhew, kratom did the job.

He said that “What kratom does is kills your brain’s desire when you are addicted to opiates, and you want opiates. It dulls your pain, and you start to get your wits back again.” Mayhew is now taking a kratom recommended dose of 2-4 capsules daily. He reports that he has not experienced any side effects but that he still needs some willpower to avoid going back on prescription opioids.

He says that you need the proper frame of mind in that you have to want things to work. In essence, nothing will work unless you have some understanding of that. So far, he hasn’t relapsed.

Some professionals believe that we need to do everything we can to make sure that those suffering from various addictions have access to FDA-approved medications and proper therapy options. Buying unregulated medicines/supplements over the internet should not be the way to go.

Back in late 2016, the DEA said that it wanted to classify the main psychoactive component in kratom as a Schedule I drug saying that there is an “imminent hazard to public safety”.

However, after a public outcry, the DEA decided to allow the public to make comments and conduct an FDA investigation. They received over 23,000 public comments about kratom and are reviewing them to determine what to do with this botanical. Which probably means ban it or regulate it.

The problem is that we need human studies to determine the efficacy and safety of kratom for opioid withdrawal. One study was done in 2008 by Edward W. Boyer, MD, director of academic development in the Department of Emergency Medicine of Brigham and Women Hospital in Boston on a 43-year-old man.

This patient abruptly stopped using an opioid prescription by taking kratom. The patient reported spending $15,000 a year on kratom that he got online. He administered kratom as a tea 4 times daily to ease his opioid withdrawal.

The patient reported that this herb reduced his pain considerably as well as withdrawal symptoms. He said it didn’t make him drowsy or cause any side effects that he could tell.

Another study in mid-2017 found that this herb had few side effects except when taken in high doses or frequently. Kratom helps merely to inhibit cravings and elevate their mood to prevent going back on prescription opioids.

As you can see, kratom is in need of clinical trials. The problem is big pharma and the medical community. So far, what little research has been done is in rodents. Only a few patients have been observed and interviewed. This ‘Screams Clinical Trials’.

Part of the problem is that medical professionals and counselors believe that the greatest success comes when taking advantage of mental support along with other prescription drugs in terms of opiate withdrawal symptoms.

But, you need to consider that these traditional therapies are often expensive and time-consuming. Apparently, treatment centers have waiting lists which may not be convenient for most people as well.

People who use kratom are reporting that it definitely helps stop cravings to go back on prescription opioids while elevating their mood. They actually feel right about things. They also say they are motivated to do things, so they are not lazy which opioid prescriptions tend to do.

They are able to return to their normal routines. The medical community needs to turn on their ears and get rid of their bias. If you’re not aware, pharmaceuticals are more of a problem than street drugs or natural herbs.

Christopher McCurdy, Professor College of Pharmacy, University of Florida comments “It is probably addictive, but its addictive equivalent is something like coffee, which isn’t surprising because the leaf is in the coffee family.

We firmly believe that it will be very good for treating opioid withdrawal and may be a possible solution to the opioid epidemic we are facing as a country.” But again, clinical trials are required. We must have scientific information on this herbs safety and efficacy.

As people are buying this from the internet from overseas, they have no real idea what they are getting. There are no standards for this unregulated herb, and it is anybody’s guess what’s in the bottle.

McCurdy and colleagues were involved with a study back in 2016 that analyzed several kratom products. What they found was that the opioid levels were higher than that found in the raw leaves. You’re not really sure what you’re getting. That’s scary!

So far, kratom appears to be the most commonly used herb for self-detox from prescription opioids. However, some people migrate to Imodium, marijuana and OTC pain relievers. But, most kratom users indicate it is best for pain and anxiety.

FDA Declares Kratom as an Opioid

On Feb. 7, 2018, the FDA declared that the natural herb kratom is an opioid. Most of the major molecules in kratom where found to bind to opioid receptors in the human brain and that 2 of the 5 most common molecules actually activate opioid receptors.

The FDA also reported that there were 44 deaths linked to the use of kratom at that time, however other drugs were often used in conjunction with kratom.

According to Gottlieb of the FDA, “Kratom should not be used to treat medical conditions, nor should it be used as an alternative to prescription opioids.” Gottlieb goes on to say, “There is no evidence to indicate that kratom is safe or effective for any medical use.” Gottlieb believes that the claims that kratom is harmless because it is a botanical are dangerous and shortsighted and points out that heroin also comes from a plant.

He urges people who are taking kratom to seek medical attention and goes on further to say that there are better ways to get off opioids. There are therapies already available approved by the FDA, and along with psychosocial support, these therapies are effective.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta, GA), there has been some concern in recent times about kratom. They report that poison center calls have increased 10x during the five-year span between 2010-2015 from 26 to 263 calls. Generally, kratom had been used with other drugs whether OTC, prescription opiates or illegal drugs.

Computer Analysis

No experimentation was done on animals/humans but rather the researchers used 3D computer technologies to simulate how kratom opioids would affect receptors in the brain.

The analysis predicted that 22 out of 25 prevalent molecules bound to the mu-opioid receptors. There are 3 known opioid receptors which include mu, delta, and kappa. The mu receptor is believed to be linked to pain relief and a high sensation (euphoria).

The mu receptor is also thought to be involved with the process of addiction. This model predicted that some of the molecules might contribute to stress responses that affect the brain and cardiovascular function.

This means the possibility of seizures and respiratory depression which allows CO2 to build up in the body and generate acidosis. This only occurs at high dosages.

The American kratom Association was not happy about this analysis and stated that it is “an unprecedented abuse of science to create a new computer program that is clearly garbage in/garbage out, avoiding rules of the Controlled Substances Act and making unproven claims that have been proven to be untrue”.

Scott Hemby, chair of the department of basic pharmaceutical sciences at High Point University in North Carolina, questions the FDA’s claims in terms of their 3D computer analysis.

Hemby reported that the main molecules in kratom do bind to opioid receptors and generate opioid-like effects such as a euphoric rush and pain relief by way of dopamine release.

He also says that one of the molecules in kratom may have addictive properties.

But, this botanical is less effective than prescription opioids. The amount of these molecules in the plant is very low such that it is unlikely to cause abuse or addiction.

Hemby goes on to say, “Just because it binds, it doesn’t mean it has the same efficacy” as an opioid. We need real data coming from actual science. As Hembly puts it, “When it comes to drugs for cancer, we wouldn’t rely on a computer model to drive policy. People would find that unacceptable.”

As to whether this natural supplement is effective against opioid withdrawal and safe to use is up for grabs. There have been no clinical trials done on kratom as of yet, and it doesn’t look like any are planned for 5-10 years.

2016 – Notice of Intent: Temporary Placement of Mitragynine

In 2016, the DEA published a 21-page notice saying that kratom doesn’t have “an approved medical use” and “is misused to self-treat chronic pain. The DEA did not cite any studies to support their claim that kratom was being misused to treat pain. Many of the kratom users were very upset with the DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) and their plans to make the possession and sale of kratom illegal are very soon.

So, the best one can do take a look at kratom consumers and see what they have to say about it. Pain News Network and the American Kratom Association conducted an online survey of more than 6,000 kratom users.

What they found was that 9 out of 10 users thought the herb was “very effective” for treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, alcoholism and opioid addiction. They also reported that less than 1% indicated that kratom did nothing.

Given that this was an online survey of self-selected users, this does not constitute a scientific study on the efficacy and safety of kratom but nevertheless important.

Summary

Kratom has been classified as a category I drug as an opioid by the DEA. The federal government defines these substances as drugs that have no currently accepted medical use and have a high potential for abuse (addiction).

The FDA says that it should be treated as any other addictive opioid including heroin. It has been banned or controlled in 17 countries, and a few states in the U.S. Whether the DEA will place a ban in the U.S. is still up for grabs.

So far, there is no reliable information available for kratom in terms of its efficacy or safety. No clinical trials have been done as of yet, and the 3D model produced by the FDA is not acceptable.

Nevertheless, a survey conducted by the DEA on self-selected kratom users indicates that these users are extremely satisfied with this herb’s ability to stop cravings for prescription opioids and keep anxiety at bay. The verdict isn’t in yet so only time will tell.

Kratoms ability to function as an analgesic is, possibly, amongst the most sought-after properties of the Plant. All across the world, people consume Kratom for pain and for its types but also as a suitable substitute for sedatives and other prescribed medicine.

What Are The Different Types of Pain?

Pain, in all its forms, can be a great discomfort in our lives. It doesn’t feel the same for everyone, and is, therefore, classified into different categories based on pain physiology, intensity, temporal characteristics, type of tissue affected, and syndrome. Below is a brief outline of the different varieties of pain;

• Pain Physiology

Pain can either be nociceptive, neuropathic or inflammatory. Nociceptive pain arises because of an insult or injury to tissues such as skin, muscles, visceral organs, joints, tendons, or bones.

A primary lesion or disease cause neuropathic pain in the somatosensory nervous system. Inflammatory pain is a result of activation of the pain pathway by the release of a variety of mediators.

• Intensity

Pain can either be mild, moderate or severe and is judged by a numeric scale, where 0 indicates no pain while 10 shows the worst pain imaginable.

• Time Course

When pain is felt for a duration of less than 3 to 6 months, it is called acute pain. However, when the pain lasts for more than 3-6 months or is persisting beyond the course of an acute disease, it is classified as chronic pain.

How Kratom Relieves Different Types of Pain?

During recent years, the western world has found the immense therapeutic and medicinal properties of Kratom. The herb has been contemplated for use as a painkiller and as a supplement for those who seek its sedative effects.

It has grown in popularity as a substitute for sedative drugs, which are the most widely recognized solutions for pain relief.

While pain may be of different types, the mechanism of action of the body in response to pain is usually the same. The body perceives pain from damaged tissues or other injuries via the affected nerves, which transmit messages up the spine to the central nervous system and brain (cerebrum).

The CNS brings about a variety of neuronal responses. One of these responses is the production of endorphins, which are a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system.

They are endogenous opioid neuropeptides or peptides which activate the body’s opiate receptors (mu, delta, and kappa) that help reduce the perception of pain and bring about analgesic effects.

Kratom contains a potent blend of synergistic alkaloids that function in a way similar to the body’s natural endorphins.

The two main alkaloids in Kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and mitragynine, attach to mu and delta opioid receptors in the brain, contributing to the plant’s high therapeutic index, including its analgesic and sedative properties.

Kratom is, therefore, very effective in treating all types of pain, whether it is mild, moderate or severe, acute or chronic, and whether an injury or inflammation cause it.

What Are The Best Kratom Strains for Pain Relief?

To manage pain more effectively, it is important to identify Kratom strains for pain with the strongest analgesic properties.

It is known that the properties of different Kratom strains vary because of changes in the area, growing conditions and the contrasting ratios of alkaloids present.

Kratom strains that have higher levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine are believed to be more potent in their analgesic effects and are, therefore, better solutions for pain treatment. The following Kratom varieties have been found to possess greater pain-relieving attributes:

• Indo; Borneo & Bali Kratom Strains for Pain

Both Borneo and Bali Kratom strains are known for their analgesic properties. These strains have a higher proportion of 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine in their leaves, due to which patients are suffering from chronic pain widely uses them.

These Kratom strains, however, are mildly sedating, and have to be used wisely by people who are only seeking the analgesic effects.

• Malaysian Kratom Strains for Pain

Malaysian Kratom strains tend to be very effective in pain management. With its unique blend of alkaloids, the Green Malay Kratom strain is particularly popular in this context.

It provides perfect pain-relieving effects and is less sedating compared to the Indo Kratom strains. This property makes it suitable for everyday use and can be administered by individuals who do not desire any sedating effects.

• Maeng Da Kratom for Pain

The Maeng Da Kratom is one of the best strains of Kratom for pain relieving. It is considered more effective in medical conditions such as chronic back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and cancer.

The White Vein Maeng Da is considered the best vein color type of Maeng Da for analgesia.

This Kratom strain is viewed as the strongest and most euphoric Kratom strain because of its perfect mixture of stimulating and pain-killing alkaloids. It is believed to treat symptoms of fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

What Is The Proper Dosage of Kratom for Pain Relief?

Since Kratom presents different properties at different dosages, individuals are always recommended to find the perfect dose suiting their preferences before settling on to it.

In the case of Kratoms pain-relieving effects, a dose of about 6-9g is usually effective. This dosage, however, presents stronger sedating effects and is not normally recommended for regular users.

It is, therefore, advised that treatment should be started with a very small amount and then slowly increased till the user finds their sweet spot, which in many cases could be as low as 1-2g of Kratom.

User Reviews Regarding The Role of Kratom As An Analgesic

Kratom is gaining increasing popularity as a substitute drug for pain management. It was seen through the positive feedback of users, who were asked about the analgesic properties of the plant on Reddit.

The users stated that Kratom has done wonders for them, and was able to deliver pain relieving properties very effectively. Some of the Users even commented that Kratom worked better than prescribed medicine and was more suitable for regular use as it didn’t pose any severe health risks.

While stating his experience, one user revealed that Kratom had helped him cope with chronic pain and enabled him to finally sleep peacefully, something that no medicine was able to yield.

A user commented “As someone who has severe, serious chronic pain daily from spinal fusion surgery with two 2½ foot titanium Harrington rods and 12 bolts in my spine, I can confidently and truthfully say that yes, Kratom works wonders for chronic pain.

The stuff will surprise you with how well it works! I can proudly say that I got off of nearly 200 strong narcotic painkillers a month, and completely switched to Kratom.”

Another patient suffering from chronic pain seconded his views, stating “I have neuropathic pain, and Kratom helps immensely – far better than the opiates I am prescribed, and with fewer side effects.”

Many users believed that the analgesic effects of Kratom didn’t last long. While this may be true for some users, others argued that the pain relieving properties are possibly the most long-lasting in all of Kratoms features.

One user commented about this, saying “I use Kratom strictly for pain at this point and the pain killing effects do not go away. The euphoria and warmness, as well as most mood enhancement, yes, but the pain relief stays.”

Users also said that Kratom was less expensive compared to prescribed medication, and didn’t build a tolerance that quickly.

A user expressed “I’ve been using Kratom for chronic pain for over two years, and it’s changed my life. It’s super cheap, and it has almost 30 active alkaloids, some of which make it uniquely effective in treating nerve pain and muscle pain.”

Conclusion On Kratom for Pain

Kratom is a miracle herb. It has helped hundreds of people, enabling them to live a happy and normal life, without the fear of suffering from the side-effects that prescribed medications may cause. Its use as an analgesic is of great assistance to everyone who has been restricted to perform better in their lives due to severe conditions of chronic pain.